Here Comes Karate

Karate has been a popular sport worldwide since the 1950s. Fans and athletes have tried to make it an Olympic sport since the 1970s with no luck. But that will change when karate events take place during the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (Note: As Scholastic MATH went to press, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed to 2021 because of the rapid spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a disease with flu-like symptoms that is caused by a new coronavirus.)

Karate is a martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom, which today is called Okinawa. Martial arts are traditional systems of combat, used today mainly for self-defense and self-discipline. Some forms are also considered part of various nations’ cultural heritage and are practiced as a way to preserve it. Karate joins five other martial arts events in the Summer Olympics: judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, and fencing.

Karate has been a popular sport worldwide since the 1950s. Since the 1970s, fans and athletes have tried to make it an Olympic sport. For years, they were unsuccessful, but that’s finally changing. Karate events will be part of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (Note: As Scholastic MATH went to press, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed because of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a disease with flu-like symptoms. It is caused by the new coronavirus that has spread rapidly.)

Karate is a martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Today this part of Japan is called Okinawa. Martial arts are traditional ways of fighting. They’re now used mainly for self-defense and self-control. Some martial arts are also considered part of a nation’s cultural heritage. People practice them as a way to preserve these traditions.

Karate joins five other martial arts events in the Summer Olympics. Athletes will also compete in judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, and fencing.

When Sakura Kokumai found out that karate would be an event at the Summer Games in Tokyo, she didn’t believe it. The 27-year-old athlete has practiced karate since she was 7 years old. “The Olympics were something in another universe,” Kokumai says.

Kokumai has won more than 20 championships and four medals in kata competitions. Kata (kah-tah) and kumite (koo-me-teh) are the two types of karate competitions. Kumite events are fights between athletes. Kata—which means form—is a solo event where an athlete executes a set series of moves. “I’m fighting an invisible opponent,” explains Kokumai. “It’s less than 3 minutes, and it’s a combination of punches, kicks, and blocks. It tells the story of a fight.” Athletes are judged on the accuracy and strength of their moves. If their hand is at the wrong angle, or their legs are too wide apart, points are deducted.

Kokumai is excited to participate in the Olympics, representing both herself and the athletes that never got a chance to compete. “I’m not just carrying the dream for myself, but for all karate practitioners.”

When Sakura Kokumai found out that karate would be an event at the 2020 Summer Games, she didn’t believe it. Kokumai is a 27-year-old athlete. She has practiced karate since she was 7 years old. “The Olympics were something in another universe,” she says.

There are two types of karate competitions. Kumite (koo-me-teh) competitions are fights between athletes. Kata (kah-tah)—which means form—is a solo event. An athlete executes a series of moves in front of judges. Kokumai has won more than 20 championships and four medals in kata competitions.

“I’m fighting an invisible opponent,” explains Kokumai. “It’s less than 3 minutes, and it’s a combination of punches, kicks, and blocks. It tells the story of a fight.” Athletes are judged on the accuracy and strength of their moves. If their hand is at the wrong angle, or their feet are too far apart, they lose points.

Kokumai is excited to participate in the Olympics. When she does, she’ll think about all the athletes who never got a chance to compete. “I’m not just carrying the dream for myself, but for all karate practitioners,” she says.